commonage

American  

[kom-uh-nij] / ˈkɒm ə nɪdʒ /

noun

1. the joint use of anything, especially a pasture.

2. the state of being held in common.

3. something that is so held, as land.

4. commonalty.

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commonage British  

/ ˈkɒmənɪdʒ /

noun

1. law

   1. the use of something, esp a pasture, in common with others

   2. the right to such use

2. the state of being held in common

3. something held in common, such as land

4. another word for commonalty

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Etymology

Origin of commonage

First recorded in 1600–10; common + -age

Example Sentences

The indaba began upon small matters, a recent dispute or two as to the ownership of cattle, or of land commonage, and so forth.

From Forging the Blades A Tale of the Zulu Rebellion by Mitford, Bertram

The rights of men are liberty and an equal participation in the commonage of nature.”

From The Radicalism of Shelley and Its Sources by MacDonald, Daniel J.

We came over a rolling down towards the commonage.

From Cinderella in the South Twenty-Five South African Tales by Cripps, Arthur Shearly

The estate of Asbies contained fifty acres of arable land, six of meadow, and a right of commonage.

From Biographical Essays by De Quincey, Thomas

In the evening we heard that the enemy were at Glen Lennie on their way to Harrismith, and that a patrol had already reached the town commonage.

From Through Shot and Flame The Adventures and Experiences of J. D. Kestell Chaplain to President Steyn and General Christian De Wet by Kestell, J. D. (John Daniel)

Related Words

• cooperative
• kibbutz
• municipality
• village